Niall McCabe will play at St. Mary’s Collegiate Church in Youghal with support from the YewTonics and Ruairi De Leaster.Raised on Clare Island off Ireland’s Atlantic coast, Niall McCabe has built a reputation for songs of remarkable emotional depth and humanity. Drawing on the storytelling traditions of Irish folk while embracing the spacious textures of Americana and contemporary acoustic music, his work is carried by a voice that has become instantly recognisable to audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Whether writing about fishermen, fathers and sons, strangers, or the idea of home itself, McCabe’s songs are marked by quiet observation, emotional honesty and an enduring sense of place.Following the release of his acclaimed debut album, Rituals, in 2023, McCabe returned two years later with Stranger, a record that cemented his reputation for emotionally resonant songwriting while introducing a broader musical canvas.
Traditional Irish instrumentation sits naturally alongside strings, pedal steel and understated band arrangements, creating a sound that feels equally at home in the west of Ireland and the American South. Throughout, however, the focus remains
firmly on the songs.Over the past two years, McCabe’s career has gathered remarkable momentum. In 2025 he made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry, toured throughout Britain with the celebrated Transatlantic Sessions and appeared as an official showcase artist at AmericanaFest in Nashville. As the songs travelled, so did the audience. His live performances have taken him from intimate listening rooms to stages including Cambridge Folk Festival, Celtic Connections, Galway Folk Festival and Doolin Folk Festival, while support appearances have included Chris Isaak, Mary Black and Sharon Shannon. Earlier international touring with Beoga also saw him perform alongside Ed Sheeran and Johnny Swim.That momentum continued into 2026 with the release of The Heart Remembers. Written on Clare Island, the song reflects on home not simply as a place, but as something remembered, imagined and carried within us. The recording brought together a remarkable group of collaborators, featuring harmony vocals from Sting and Foy Vance, instrumental performances by Jerry Douglas, and arrangements and co-production by John McCusker. Despite the calibre of the musicians involved, the production remains deliberately understated, allowing the song’s emotional core to speak for itself.Alongside his own headline touring, McCabe spends much of 2026 on the road with Foy Vance and Amble while work continues on his third studio album. Produced by Jerry Douglas and recorded between Ireland and Nashville, the project brings together the strongest creative partnerships of McCabe’s career to date while remaining rooted in the songs that first began life on a small island in the Atlantic.For over twenty years, Ruairí de Leastar has been writing songs and connecting with audiences through honest storytelling and a grounded, soulful sound. An accomplished songwriter from a young age, he has fronted a number of bands and duos, building a reputation for both his musicianship and his presence on stage.He has toured across Ireland, the UK, Canada and the United States, and has shared the stage with artists including Duke Special, Lisa Hannigan, Jerry Fish, Jack L and Foy Vance.Ruairí released his debut EP Making Shadows, and has since been steadily releasing singles while working towards his second record.“Brimming with talent and showmanship, Ruairí de Leastar delivers his well-crafted songs with elan.” -David Teevan, Creative Producer and Arts Manager (former Artistic Director of Clonmel Junction Festival) The Yewtonics are a band from Youghal, Co. Cork, blending soul, groove, and a mix of other influences along the way.Formed by long-time collaborators and friends, the band’s sound comes from a shared musical instinct and way of working. Their original songs lean into real-life themes; love, loss, and everything in between.The Yewtonics showcase layered harmonies, tight musicianship, and a mix of intimate moments and bigger energy. Currently working on their debut EP, The Yewtonics continue to shape a sound that feels honest, expressive, and distinctly their own.
